Aruba Vacation

Aruba Capital

Aruba Location

Aruba is located about 20 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Aruba is the “A” in the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.

Aruba Size

Aruba is 19.6 miles long and 6 miles wide. It is approximately 74 square miles.

Aruba Population

Approximately 30,600 people live in Oranjestad and 105,600 live on the island of Aruba.

Aruba Language

Dutch is the official language of Aruba. English, Spanish and Papiamento are also spoken.

Aruba Currency

The Aruba Florin is the official currency. United States dollars, travelers checks and major credit cards are widely accepted.

Aruba Time Zone

Aruba is on Atlantic Standard Time.

Aruba Tourist Information

The Aruba Cruise Tourism has a Tourist Information booth in the cruise terminal.

Aruba History

Aruba has a fascinating history, one that has been colored by warring European colonizers, a boom-and –bust economy and the creation of a new language. The unique language, Papiamento, is something of which Arubans are especially proud; it is a unique combination of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, African and Indian words. It is spoken only on Dutch “ABC” islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.

Alonso de Ojeda claimed Aruba for the Spanish Crown in 1499. In 1634, near the culmination of their 80-year war with Spain, the Dutch took over the island. Aruba is part of The Dutch Commonwealth and had its “Status Aparte” in 1986.

Gold was discovered on the island in 1824 and mined successfully until 1913. As the yield turned meager and mining became unprofitable, the aloe plant became primary agricultural crop. The island soon became the world’s leading aloe producer.

In 1929, the Lago Oil and Transport Company, a subsidiary of Standard Oil of New Jersey, built a large refinery at the southeastern tip of the island. The Lago refinery became the largest in the world, assuring Aruba its place as one of the most prosperous islands in the Caribbean. The refinery has been owned and managed by Valero Energy Corp. since 2004.

Aruba Transportation

Taxis are not metered, but rates are fixed. Be sure to establish a fare before departure. Cost is for the carload, usually up to 4 passengers. Prices to beaches and hotels range from $7 to $10. Drivers may refuse service for people wearing wet bathing suit.

Aruba Shopping

Aruba is rapidly becoming one of the most popular shopping ports in the Caribbean. Swiss watches, French perfumes and fine jewelry are all readily available. The shopping hub of Aruba is in Oranjestad, where one can stroll along and admire the stores and boutiques that decorate the main streets.

Aruba Store Hours

The stores in Aruba are open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, stores are open for a duration of four hours, depending upon when the cruise ships are in port.

Aruba Bank

In Aruba the banks are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Aruba Bank of Main Street is open on Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. ATM machines are available in close proximity to the Cruise Ship Terminal.

Aruba Post Office

There is a post office located in the Royal Plaza Mall which is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Aruba Phone Locations

Phones are located in the cruise ship terminal.

Aruba Emergency Number

In case of an emergency, dial 911.

Aruba White Public Beaches

If you visit Aruba by cruise ship, it will be easy to go to very beautiful beaches in there. Most of them is within less than one hour drive from the cruise terminal.

1. Andicuri ( 30 minutes )

2. Arashi Beach ( 22 minutes )

3. Baby Beach ( 40 minutes )

4. Bachelor’s Beach ( 35 minutes )

5. Boca Catalina ( 20 minutes )

6. Boca Druif ( 2 minutes )

7. Boca Grandi ( 37 minutes )

8. Eagle Beach ( 10 minutes )

9. Hadicurari ( 17 minutes )

10. Manchebo Beach ( 5 minutes )

11. Mangel Halto ( 20 minutes )

12. Palm Beach ( 15 minutes )

13. Punta Prabo ( 6 minutes )

14. Rodger’s Beach (40 minutes )

15. Santo Largo ( 25 minutes )

16. Surfside ( 10 minutes )

Aruba Cuisine

Aruba is very popular for her excellent gastronomic experience, local as well as international. The typical local cuisine is available from snacks to meals to desserts, all prepared with the delicate touch of special ingredients.

Aruba Attraction Events

There are a lot of things you can do and see in a pleasant way in Aruba , like weddings, graduations, birthdays, Bonbini Festival, International artists festival, shopping, nightlife, spa, sport, family reunion, friends, holidays, cultural show and many other things.

New Year
25 January Official Holiday G. F. Betico Croes Festivity
February Carnival
14 February Valentine’s Day
18 March National Anthem and Flag Day
24 June Dera Gai
Christmas
Dande Festival